Faith Nyasuguta
Following its impressive haul at the 2024 KALASHA Awards, the film “Where The River Divides” will be featured in the May edition of #WeWatchKenyan with MyMovies.Africa to celebrate Africa Day.
This event will take place at OUT Reality, The Mall (basement) in Westlands, Nairobi, on Saturday, May 25th, starting at 6:00 PM, with the screening at 7:00 PM and a Q&A session from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
The film, which is based on a true story from Migori, Kenya, has garnered significant acclaim with 7 festival selections, 26 nominations, and 12 awards in both Kenya and the United States. “Where The River Divides” follows Dennis (played by Gadwill Odhiambo), the son of a clan elder (Benjamin Onyango), as he returns to his village in Thimlich Ohinga, Migori County, after being baptized.
Dennis faces a profound choice between inheriting his father’s legacy or fulfilling his newfound purpose, which puts his life at risk.
The event will feature a virtual appearance by the film’s director and editor, M.D. Neely from Christ In Youth (CIY) in Missouri, USA. Neely expressed, “For me, ‘Where The River Divides’ is ultimately about sacrifice.
What am I willing to sacrifice to follow the call that God has placed on my life? Dennis’ story has challenged and inspired me. I am humbled and proud to have worked with such a talented and passionate group of artists from Kenya and America to tell this story.”
Since its premiere in August 2023, the film has won numerous awards, including:
- Best Kenyan Short at Under Our Skin Festival for Human Rights (Kenya)
- Best Short Narrative at Zion International Film Festival (USA)
- Best Cinematographer at Mombasa International Film Festival (Kenya)
- Best Editor at Mombasa International Film Festival (Kenya)
- Bronze Crown Award for Best Evangelistic Film at International Christian Visual Media (ICVM) Crown Awards (USA)
- Best Short Film at Kitale Film Week (Kenya)
- Most Watched Film on MyMovies.Africaâ„¢ by a Female Producer (Matrid Nyagah) at the 5th Women In Film Awards (WIFA) (Kenya)
The film was also officially selected for the Sauti Zetu Film Festival in Tanzania, the Botswana International Film Festival, and the Global Film Exhibition in the USA. It was nominated for Best Indigenous Film in East Africa at the 10th Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) and received 14 nominations at the 13th annual KALASHA International Film & TV Awards, winning five, including Best Short Film, Best Lead Actor, Best Original Screenplay, Best Production Design, and Best Costume Design.
To celebrate their success at the KALASHA Awards, M.D. Neely and Matt Black (Best Original Screenplay) will join the event via Zoom, while an in-person panel will feature Gadwill Odhiambo (Best Lead Actor), Nancy Aluoch (Best Production Design), and Matrid Nyagah (Producer of Best Short Film). The session will be hosted by Natha of the TALK FILM TO ME podcast.
Mike Strano, Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer of YAKWETUâ„¢, the film’s distributor, stated, “We are so proud of the cast and crew for this beautiful film! Students, professionals, and fans of the Kenya film industry should attend #WeWatchKenyan with MyMovies.Africaâ„¢ to learn the secrets of their success!”
Tickets for the fourth #WeWatchKenyan event of 2024, featuring “Where The River Divides,” are selling fast. The event will be held at OUT Reality, The Mall (basement) in Westlands, on Saturday, May 25th, starting at 6:00 PM. Tickets are available from KES 349, with discounts for duos, trios, squads, and groups. Get your tickets here.
Tickets include:
- Screening of “Where The River Divides”
- A post-screening Q&A session with the cast and crew
- A free 7-day rental of “Where The River Divides” exclusively on MyMovies.Africaâ„¢ to rewatch with family and friends at home
“Where The River Divides” was produced by Christ In Youth (CIY) in collaboration with Good News Productions International – Africa and Fearless Films.
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